What is a cheat day?

rita27ny
rita27ny Posts: 820 Member
edited October 5 in Food and Nutrition
Is a cheat day you don't excercise and eat whatever you want? I still eat what i want but try portion control..

Also do you think I should do a cheat day?
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Replies

  • skierxjes
    skierxjes Posts: 926 Member
    Cheat days are for people who aren't 100% dedicated and need to have something for an excuse.. In my opinion.

    EDIT: I don't take that back one bit. I eat junky things in moderation and account for them in my calories. I don't deprive myself of ANYTHING so everyone can stop assuming that. You know what happens when you assume, right? ;)
  • muitobem
    muitobem Posts: 436 Member
    That's a "to each his own" kind of thing. Some have cheat days...some have a cheat meal once or twice a week...some just cheat a little bit each day to not feel deprived.
    However you do it, it still takes will power not to overdo.....
  • Tonnina
    Tonnina Posts: 979 Member
    I personally haven't had one yet... I'm going on 105 days at this... I went over my 1500 calorie limit once in those 105 days, I was over by 5 calories on my anniversary and I still lost weight! ;-) You could give it a go, I did cheat days back in 2008 but never went over 2000 when doing one. It's all about self control! :-)
  • dreamgurl2324
    dreamgurl2324 Posts: 191 Member
    i try to not get too much in a routine so my matabalism is always guessing. i feel like it keeps you from slowing down too much
  • rita27ny
    rita27ny Posts: 820 Member
    LOL i cheat everyday I try to do portion size. Guess I'ma a bad girl.
  • wbgolden
    wbgolden Posts: 2,066 Member
    Cheat days are for people who aren't 100% dedicated and need to have something for an excuse.. In my opinion.
    I stopped reading responses when I say this.
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    Everyone has their own opinion/definition of a cheat day. For me, I don't do cheat meals or cheat days. I eat what I want, when I want it. I account for it in my daily calories, log it and move on. I found that a "cheat day" seemed too much like I was on a 'diet'. This isn't a diet for me, it's a lifestyle change. If I want a Reese's Peanut butter cup NOW - I don't want to wait until a specific day to enjoy that Reese's. I'd rather eat it now. I've learned to just enjoy the things I love in moderation. I've also learned what things are worth spending the calories on and what things aren't worth it.

    I don't think that people who have "cheat" days aren't 100% dedicated or in this for the long haul. I think part of being successful in this journey is learning to manage the foods you used to eat in large quantities. I know that I won't go the rest of my life without eating cake, ice cream or other "unhealthy" things. Better to learn to consume them in reasonable amounts than to deny yourself and end up binge eating.
  • lor007
    lor007 Posts: 884 Member
    Cheat days are for people who aren't 100% dedicated and need to have something for an excuse.. In my opinion.

    I bet your friends just love you.
  • futiledevices
    futiledevices Posts: 309 Member
    I don't do "cheat" days, but I do eat things in moderation. I haven't cut things out of my diet completely, but that doesn't mean I won't lose weight. It just means I eat smaller amounts of so called "bad" foods. I don't see the point in cutting things out when I know I'll end up eating them again once I lose the weight.
  • cniskasari
    cniskasari Posts: 4 Member
    when you restrict or lower your calories you also lower your metabolism, which is not what we want in order to loose fat. to rev your metabolism back up again you eat only 500 cals more for one day each week and then lower back down again for the rest of the week. there is science behind this. i do it once a week and it actually feels good to add a few healthy extra calories in my meal planning. the trick is not to go overboard. you can't just eat anything and everything on a cheat day. :)
  • rita27ny
    rita27ny Posts: 820 Member
    Sometimes doing the portion sizes is so hard and taste sooo good I just over eat it because I love it
  • Ctorj
    Ctorj Posts: 19 Member
    For myself, I allow myself 3 cheat meals a week though I rarely use all 2 of them. Unless there's a special occasion coming up (like a camping trip where it's tough to eat healthy), I use them when I can, but try to stay under my calorie limit anyways. Otherwise, I pump it up and exercise harder when I do a big cheat meal so I don't feel guilty about it.
  • Bellyroll
    Bellyroll Posts: 316
    Cheat days are for people who aren't 100% dedicated and need to have something for an excuse.. In my opinion.
    You should like such a happy person.
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    Sometimes doing the portion sizes is so hard and taste sooo good I just over eat it because I love it

    This is where self control becomes the key to your success. Measure out what you're going to eat and then walk away to eat it.

    For example, I will measure out 1 cup of rice (and put it on my plate), 2/3 cup of veggies (and put it on my plate) and my chicken (and put it on my plate). Now, I will walk into the other room and eat only what is on my plate. This way, I KNOW that I am only eating the amount I should eat. Eat slowly and give your body time to realize you've eaten.

    If you're having chips, don't eat out of the bag. Count out the serving size, put them in a bowl, put the chips away and walk away from them.

    Self control is a tough thing - but for success in this journey? You have to have it.
  • skierxjes
    skierxjes Posts: 926 Member
    There's no need to attack me, I'm just saying. Why do you need to "cheat"? If you do it weekly, it's not cheating, it's routine.
  • DinaLKeil
    DinaLKeil Posts: 95 Member
    I pretty much decided that Birthdays (mine, my husbands and my daughter) are appropriate cheat days for me. I dont go crazy but I definately go over my calories. I try to make up for by more workouts the upcoming and following week. Since that's only 3 times a year, I think it's ok. Been considering whether or not to cheat on Thanksgiving and Christmas...
  • rita27ny
    rita27ny Posts: 820 Member
    Wow you guys do twice a week. I do it everyday wow maybe that's why I'm losing weight so slow...
  • herwonderland
    herwonderland Posts: 11
    Everyone has their own opinion/definition of a cheat day. For me, I don't do cheat meals or cheat days. I eat what I want, when I want it. I account for it in my daily calories, log it and move on. I found that a "cheat day" seemed too much like I was on a 'diet'. This isn't a diet for me, it's a lifestyle change. If I want a Reese's Peanut butter cup NOW - I don't want to wait until a specific day to enjoy that Reese's. I'd rather eat it now. I've learned to just enjoy the things I love in moderation. I've also learned what things are worth spending the calories on and what things aren't worth it.

    I don't think that people who have "cheat" days aren't 100% dedicated or in this for the long haul. I think part of being successful in this journey is learning to manage the foods you used to eat in large quantities. I know that I won't go the rest of my life without eating cake, ice cream or other "unhealthy" things. Better to learn to consume them in reasonable amounts than to deny yourself and end up binge eating.

    I completely agree! I used to have cheat days too but it did make me feel like I was on just another diet. Now, it's about eating smart. Two days ago I had an Oreo milkshake which had an obscene amount of calories. Couldnt remember the last time I had one. But so what? I felt a little guilty and naughty but I moved on! The next few days, I just watched my diet a little bit more cautiously and ran a little further. AND the calories in that milkshake was totally worth the effort- it was a damn good one. haha!
  • skierxjes
    skierxjes Posts: 926 Member
    Everyone has their own opinion/definition of a cheat day. For me, I don't do cheat meals or cheat days. I eat what I want, when I want it. I account for it in my daily calories, log it and move on. I found that a "cheat day" seemed too much like I was on a 'diet'. This isn't a diet for me, it's a lifestyle change. If I want a Reese's Peanut butter cup NOW - I don't want to wait until a specific day to enjoy that Reese's. I'd rather eat it now. I've learned to just enjoy the things I love in moderation. I've also learned what things are worth spending the calories on and what things aren't worth it.

    I don't think that people who have "cheat" days aren't 100% dedicated or in this for the long haul. I think part of being successful in this journey is learning to manage the foods you used to eat in large quantities. I know that I won't go the rest of my life without eating cake, ice cream or other "unhealthy" things. Better to learn to consume them in reasonable amounts than to deny yourself and end up binge eating.

    I completely agree! I used to have cheat days too but it did make me feel like I was on just another diet. Now, it's about eating smart. Two days ago I had an Oreo milkshake which had an obscene amount of calories. Couldnt remember the last time I had one. But so what? I felt a little guilty and naughty but I moved on! The next few days, I just watched my diet a little bit more cautiously and ran a little further. AND the calories in that milkshake was totally worth the effort- it was a damn good one. haha!

    Agreed.
  • rita27ny
    rita27ny Posts: 820 Member
    when you restrict or lower your calories you also lower your metabolism, which is not what we want in order to loose fat. to rev your metabolism back up again you eat only 500 cals more for one day each week and then lower back down again for the rest of the week. there is science behind this. i do it once a week and it actually feels good to add a few healthy extra calories in my meal planning. the trick is not to go overboard. you can't just eat anything and everything on a cheat day. :)

    Thanks good idea!
  • DinaLKeil
    DinaLKeil Posts: 95 Member
    Sometimes doing the portion sizes is so hard and taste sooo good I just over eat it because I love it

    This is where self control becomes the key to your success. Measure out what you're going to eat and then walk away to eat it.

    For example, I will measure out 1 cup of rice (and put it on my plate), 2/3 cup of veggies (and put it on my plate) and my chicken (and put it on my plate). Now, I will walk into the other room and eat only what is on my plate. This way, I KNOW that I am only eating the amount I should eat. Eat slowly and give your body time to realize you've eaten.

    If you're having chips, don't eat out of the bag. Count out the serving size, put them in a bowl, put the chips away and walk away from them.

    Self control is a tough thing - but for success in this journey? You have to have it.
    I agree. I use measuring cups and a scale too....
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    Wow you guys do twice a week. I do it everyday wow maybe that's why I'm losing weight so slow...

    Um. I'm not trying to be rude, but you can't "cheat" and go over your calories everyday and expect to lose weight. That isn't how it works. The goal here is to learn to have a calorie deficit so you'll lose weight. Having a "cheat" day everyday and going over isn't changing your life - it is continuing your life as you were living it before.

    Sorry, but in order to be successful you MUST be willing to make some changes in your life. It's okay to admit you aren't ready to do it, but by going over everyday and not paying attention to your serving sizes or overindulging in things isn't the way the go about losing. I think you should step back and re-evaluate your commitment to this.
  • skierxjes
    skierxjes Posts: 926 Member
    Um. I'm not trying to be rude, but you can't "cheat" and go over your calories everyday and expect to lose weight.

    Thank you.
  • mistresseeyore
    mistresseeyore Posts: 717 Member
    My Father study Physical Education in college, and is big on cheat days. A cheat day is not something for weak people, it means that the person rewards themselves a little for staying on track. It is proven that if you feel deprived, then you break your diet. It's a treat to yourself, for being good. I mean a treat, not an extravagance. Also, unless a person does a life style change, then in the end, the diet will fail. I've lost 37 pounds, and I have a family. there are cheat days, but I am losing a healthy amount each month and maintaining my loss. Not learning how to eat and fluctuate on a diet and eat right, then you dieted for nothing, because once you are done and you did it the wrong, you can gain the weight back and then some. On my cheat days, I may eat something that I would say is a no no, but I still exercise, and vise versa. Don't listen to strict diet dictators. do what is best for you to keep a healthy eating/exercise habits.
  • rita27ny
    rita27ny Posts: 820 Member
    Some days over, some days under.. I lost 5lbs and making subtle changes. The changes I made i notice I am losing some weight. I am doing portion control but I do over induldge.

    I will use zip lock bags so I don't eat from directly from the potato chips bag.
  • skierxjes
    skierxjes Posts: 926 Member
    Some days over, some days under.. I lost 5lbs and making subtle changes. The changes I made i notice I am losing some weight. I am doing portion control but I do over induldge.

    I will use zip lock bags so I don't eat from directly from the potato chips bag.

    Perfect. In the beginning some of the changes are hard, then you learn that you don't need those "cheat" days. :flowerforyou:
  • rita27ny
    rita27ny Posts: 820 Member
    Wow you guys do twice a week. I do it everyday wow maybe that's why I'm losing weight so slow...

    Um. I'm not trying to be rude, but you can't "cheat" and go over your calories everyday and expect to lose weight. That isn't how it works. The goal here is to learn to have a calorie deficit so you'll lose weight. Having a "cheat" day everyday and going over isn't changing your life - it is continuing your life as you were living it before.

    Sorry, but in order to be successful you MUST be willing to make some changes in your life. It's okay to admit you aren't ready to do it, but by going over everyday and not paying attention to your serving sizes or overindulging in things isn't the way the go about losing. I think you should step back and re-evaluate your commitment to this.

    I am commited to this. I'm not going to deprive myself I'm going to put stuff I like in a zip lock bag.
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    My Father study Physical Education in college, and is big on cheat days. A cheat day is not something for weak people, it means that the person rewards themselves a little for staying on track. It is proven that if you feel deprived, then you break your diet. It's a treat to yourself, for being good. I mean a treat, not an extravagance. Also, unless a person does a life style change, then in the end, the diet will fail. I've lost 37 pounds, and I have a family. there are cheat days, but I am losing a healthy amount each month and maintaining my loss. Not learning how to eat and fluctuate on a diet and eat right, then you dieted for nothing, because once you are done and you did it the wrong, you can gain the weight back and then some. On my cheat days, I may eat something that I would say is a no no, but I still exercise, and vise versa. Don't listen to strict diet dictators. do what is best for you to keep a healthy eating/exercise habits.

    I'm not a diet dictator by any means. I just feel like allowing oneself to have what you want NOW and learning to stay within your calorie goal while enjoying some of life's "treats" seems less diet-ish and more lifestyle change. I wanted some chocolate while I was at work tonight, so I bought a bag of the Hershey's mixed chocolates. I had 5 of the ones I really wanted, I logged them and I went on my merry way. I'm happy to have what I wanted and I kept to my calorie goal while doing it. Now, I'm happy and content and didn't have to wait for a special day to consume them.
  • skierxjes
    skierxjes Posts: 926 Member
    My Father study Physical Education in college, and is big on cheat days. A cheat day is not something for weak people, it means that the person rewards themselves a little for staying on track. It is proven that if you feel deprived, then you break your diet. It's a treat to yourself, for being good. I mean a treat, not an extravagance. Also, unless a person does a life style change, then in the end, the diet will fail. I've lost 37 pounds, and I have a family. there are cheat days, but I am losing a healthy amount each month and maintaining my loss. Not learning how to eat and fluctuate on a diet and eat right, then you dieted for nothing, because once you are done and you did it the wrong, you can gain the weight back and then some. On my cheat days, I may eat something that I would say is a no no, but I still exercise, and vise versa. Don't listen to strict diet dictators. do what is best for you to keep a healthy eating/exercise habits.

    I'm not a diet dictator by any means. I just feel like allowing oneself to have what you want NOW and learning to stay within your calorie goal while enjoying some of life's "treats" seems less diet-ish and more lifestyle change. I wanted some chocolate while I was at work tonight, so I bought a bag of the Hershey's mixed chocolates. I had 5 of the ones I really wanted, I logged them and I went on my merry way. I'm happy to have what I wanted and I kept to my calorie goal while doing it. Now, I'm happy and content and didn't have to wait for a special day to consume them.

    I think I'm the diet dictator hahahaha
  • skierxjes
    skierxjes Posts: 926 Member
    Wow you guys do twice a week. I do it everyday wow maybe that's why I'm losing weight so slow...

    Um. I'm not trying to be rude, but you can't "cheat" and go over your calories everyday and expect to lose weight. That isn't how it works. The goal here is to learn to have a calorie deficit so you'll lose weight. Having a "cheat" day everyday and going over isn't changing your life - it is continuing your life as you were living it before.

    Sorry, but in order to be successful you MUST be willing to make some changes in your life. It's okay to admit you aren't ready to do it, but by going over everyday and not paying attention to your serving sizes or overindulging in things isn't the way the go about losing. I think you should step back and re-evaluate your commitment to this.

    I am commited to this. I'm not going to deprive myself I'm going to put stuff I like in a zip lock bag.

    Don't deprive. Have things in moderation. Count it. Don't call it cheating.
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